Just entered my first show need a Mentor for showing silkies

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Ok so I just entered my first show! I will be competing against some who have done this for years. What was I thinking? So I don't expect to win, my focus is just not looking like a complete idiot at this point. If there is anyone who would like to help me in getting silkies ready for show I would greatly appreciate any tips you may have.
I will be showing bearded silkies 2 blue pullets, and one black cockerel, all are about 7 mths of age. I have bathed them in the past for our nursing home visits so bathing I should have down. But the other things I am not to sure of, and honestly not sure at all of what to be unsure about. If that makes any sense at all.
The show is the 13th and I would like to know what I need to do now and later to condition the birds to be shown. I have already trimmed toenails but not beaks.
Thanks for talking the time to help.
Tisha

 

[muddyhorse]

good luck at the show. we have one this weekend. do you have any pics of the birds you could post

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Where is the show Tisha??

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

@MuddyHorse will get pics up either tonight or tomorrow, but I do not think I will win this year. I am just looking for tips on getting them ready.

@ Bat Cave it is an ABA and APA sanctioned show in Newport TN, called "Something to Crow About". I am going up against Jack Ferguson and a couple others whom I know to have great lines, so I am simply doing this for experience. Silkie are not my focus anyway, Showgirls are. I jsut don't want to get a DQ for something like "not properly conditioned", or something crazy like that. I am however very excited and egar to learn, so when it is time to show my showgirls I will be ready. I should also get some very nice silkies from the lines I am having shipped in next week, and hope in the next few years to give a few of the more experienced people a run for their money at least.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

So I know these are not the best pics to judge them by but they are the only one's I have uploaded to BYC. I wil try and take better pics tomorrow of the wings, feet and comb.

Black Cockerel I do believe him to have split wing or too much shredding and the wings are not as tight as they should be, but his comb is great, no horns very tiny wattles, earlobes are good, toe spacing is great foot feathering could be better but is acceptable. He does have one white feather coming in on his right middle toe should I pluck it or leave it be?

Blue Pullet no split wing, shredding could be better though, she is not as fluffy as I would like but toe spacing is good and foot feathering is great. She may have the tiny horns I have seen others talk about on here but that is not a DQ.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Ok so I just snapped these they are not the best but do show what I am working with. Please keep in mind they have not been conditioned yet in any way. I will put them up tomorrow and start whatever it is I need to do 9 days out.
Bubba 7 mth cockerel comb

wing

feet

side w/o flash

Story Dae 7 mth pullet
side view

feet some feathers on most if not all toes

wing It is not a good shot but the shredding is not too good anyway.

They really did not appreciate me pulling them from their nice cozy coop this late in the evening, and were not posing for the pics tonight.

 

[ultasol]

The black cock looks overly shredded, it is common. Pull cage cups in the AM before judging, replace them after judging, otherwise they may dunk their beards.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Pluck the white toe feather a couple of days before the show.

"Practice" putting the birds into a small cage and taking them out....not all birds accept the confinement well, or going in and out of the small door. I don't feed the birds being shown, for 24 hours prior to a show---so their crop isn't bulging and so they don't pooh on themselves or in the show cages.

Any "specifics" you want to know?

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

@Ultasol I thoughts so on the over shredding and he is most likely a split wing. Not good I know! But I do have a really nice showgirl cockerel, and maybe a couple silkies coming next week that I plan to add to my breeding pen.

Thank you very much!
I will pull the cage cups and replace after judging as you suggested.

@Bat Cave Silkies a full 24 hrs? Ok I was thinking it did need to be pulled but was unsure of the time frame. Most of mine are used to going in and out of small animal crates with our visits the the nursing home. If they had a sweetest cockerel competition he is a for sure win. He is very used to being rocked to sleep, sang to (he particulary like the top 40's), as well as just sitting in my lap. I am not too sure how he will react to the male judges as they have not been around too many men. I hope he is a good boy for me. He is much more friendly than the pullets because I........ well......... I just spoil him. I will work with the pullet more this week on going in and out of the cages though. Thanks for that tip.

How short do I need to trim back the toenail?
Is the beak ok? I have never trimmed a beak before!
When you say pull the white feather do I grab it all the way at the bottom and just pull fast? Or right above the shaft pulling only the feather part? I know silly question but I want to do it right.
What about the dirt/food (whatever) in his nostrils? Can I get that out too maybe with a tooth pick or something? I will take a toothbrush to that comb and clean it up nicely.
For now that is all, although I am sure there will be more to come soon. My friend said maybe change the diet to include more fresh fruit and veggies, as well as some wheat? Is this something you all would suggest?

 

[ultasol]

I don't pull feed, but I do get poop. I always do a last minute look over in the AM prior to judging. In my cage-side kit I carry an oil to oil the comb/beak/leg, wipes or water spray to clean a foot if someone stepped in poop, and a flea comb or furminator (used to gently remove any missed feather sheaths.

I give the bird a look over head to toe, remove any poop from the cage and add fresh shavings if needed, pull water, and I'm off to the next bird.